B.R. Ambedkar’s London house to be converted into a memorial

After India signed a deal worth $3.1 million to acquire the bungalow of the Dalit icon Dr. B.R. Amdebkar, the latter would become the first Indian to have an entire house dedicated to his memory in London.

The Maharashtra government will transform the house into an international study centre or to say a memorial on the Dalit leader. The 2050 sq ft property on King Henry Road was where Ambedkar lived as a PG while he was a student in the 1920s.

“This property also has the distinction of being recognised as an English Heritage since 1991 and carries a blue plaque with the words ‘Dr Bhimjirao Ramji Ambedkar 1891-1956, Indian Crusader for social justice lived here” said Rajkumar Badole, Maharashtra’s minister of social justice and special assistance.

For this house, the govt. will set up a committee in order to transform it into an international tourist spot and a study centre. The property will be equipped with the entire body of Ambedkar’s works on subjects such as politics, social justice, economics, international relations and the constitution.

“Generations of Indians in the UK and visitors studying, interested or inspired by Dr Ambedkar’s key roles in furthering social justice, human rights and equal treatment issues will be able to visit… Additionally, its five bedrooms could be used as accommodation for Indian students from Dalit backgrounds while doing post-graduate studies in the UK,” said FABO UK president Santosh Dass.

The memorial is expected to be opened to visitors by later this year or early next year.

Metropolitan Police said emergency vehicles were hampered from getting across London because of the “blockade” of five bridges. The force said it had asked all protesters to congregate at Westminster Bridge where officers can facilitate lawful protest.

About two dozen people were arrested on Monday after protesters blocked traffic and glued themselves to gates outside the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy. (VOA)